Call Sheet #179: Cruise Ship Crash to Impact Industry?, Marketing Spending on the Rise, Kardashians Still Cash Cows

BIZBASH CALL SHEET — #179 — Tuesday, 01.17.12

Compiled today by Chad Kaydo and Anna Sekula in New York
Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: http://info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html

* INCOMING *

1. TRAVEL CONFIDENCE SINKING?: The weekend’s Costa Concordia disaster raised questions about safety regulations on cruise ships and has sparked fears over how this will impact for the global cruise and travel industry. Toronto Star:
http://bit.ly/zsswLf

2. GOLDEN GLOBES RECAP: Here’s our full report from this weekend’s flurry of parties surrounding the Golden Globes on Sunday night, with photos from the likes of HBO, In Style, Fox, Sony, NBCUniversal, the Weinstein Company, and more:
http://bizba.sh/wX7TzT

3. SHOW HURDLES: According to The New York Times, convention planners and business travelers are pressuring the government to relax visa requirements and make the process more efficient to help drive more business from overseas. “I believe the U.S. consulates and embassy in China have been responsive, but are understaffed and under-resourced,” said C.E.S. president Gary Shapiro. “Still, we hear of many visa denials for unknown reasons.”
http://nyti.ms/xJ2ENQ

4. INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: In a study conducted by BtoB magazine, marketers seem poised to spend more in the coming year, investing in online efforts as well as events.
http://bit.ly/AAINe3

5. KEEPING UP APPEARANCES: Although The New York Post (http://nyp.st/wTxacw) claims that interest from nightclub promoters and publicists in the Kardashians has waned, Forbes asserts that Kim and her sisters are still cash cows.
http://onforb.es/zP8qJ4

6. PLAYBOY’S SUPER BOWL PLOY: According to a tip yesterday, New York- and Los Angeles-based Caravents has been hired by Playboy to "bring the old school glamour back to their signature Super Bowl party." The event will take place adjacent to the Bud Light Hotel across from the Lucas Oil stadium and is expected to draw around 1,500 guests.

Speaking of the Super Bowl: Here’s our party preview from yesterday:
http://bizba.sh/wOpWx8

* AGENCY NEWS *

Marketing firm Re:Fuel announced the opening of its experiential arm led by Kathleen Mulcahy, former vice president of marketing for the Promotion Marketing Association.

* LOCAL NEWS *

BOSTON: Bostinno takes a look at how local colleges are using Facebook to engage their audiences. Berklee is cited as one of the schools making good use of social media, using its Facebook page for purposes such as teasing events.
http://bit.ly/ydWP5F

CHICAGO: Chicago Cut Steakhouse, which has two private dining rooms, has a new sommelier: Desiree Napolitano. For tastings, the restaurant provides guests with iPads that provide info on the origin of each wine through videos, images, and text.

The Design Center at the Merchandise Mart and Luxe Interiors & Design magazine will host an awards gala on February 2 to recognize the winners of the first interior design hall of fame competition.

LAS VEGAS: Vegas Inc has a preview of some big upcoming events and meetings in town.
http://bit.ly/zVwmPt

LOS ANGELES: The American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will host a charity event on January 25 at the Steinway Piano Gallery in West Hollywood, followed by a cocktail reception at Petrossian.

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA: Klime Kovaceski of Trio on the Bay has introduced his newest venture, consulting firm Miami Restaurant Consulting Group. Kovaceski will be joined by Krsto Stamatovski of Studio K Architects, Ben Neji of Wine 69, and Rocco Laudizio from Slick&Design.

The Miami Oasis Suite at the Village at the Lift at the Sundance Film Festival will have salon services, gifts from fashion accessories and footwear designer Carlo Pazolini, Disaronno cocktails, catering by Udi's Gluten-Free Foods, and a live DJ set provided by 661 Lifestyle.

NEW YORK: Director Spike Lee is holding a fund-raiser for President Obama at the Apollo Theater Thursday. Performers include Al Green and India.Arie. Wall Street Journal:
http://on.wsj.com/ADB8n4

Danny Meyer has been in the news a lot lately, especially with the announcement of his company’s partnership with Related Companies. In a Q&A wth Fast Company, the restaurateur talks about company culture, opening the North End Grill, and expanding the Shake Shack brand:
http://bit.ly/xRJNb1

Marriott International will bring its SpringHill Suites brand to Herald Square in 2013. The 19-story hotel will cater to both business and leisure travelers.
http://bit.ly/zLlG7T

ORLANDO: The Orlando Sentinel has details on three new hotels coming to downtown Orlando:
http://thesent.nl/wbS14i

TORONTO: The Toronto Public Library Foundation will launch a new membership program aimed at young philanthropists called the New Collection. Members of the New Collection will be invited to exclusive events and discussion series. The National Post:
http://natpo.st/ywAUDa

WASHINGTON: The grand opening of restaurant and live music venue Hamilton is Thursday. The restaurant seats 500 and the lower-level performance section holds 350. The venue is using Event Farm for all ticketing and box office operations. Here's a walkthrough of the space on our site:
http://bizba.sh/xzZtXy

Fortify Ventures is launching the Fort, a workspace and hub for local tech companies to help building and accelerate the growing number of startups. Washington Business Journal:
http://bit.ly/AdDYiy

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected].

With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, Carla Warrilow in Toronto, and Jana Schiowitz in New York.

BizBash Call Sheet is the must-read daily digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

Feed the Sheet: [email protected]
Subscribe: http://info.bizbash.com/callsheet.html

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